Saturday, October 23, 2010
Shackleford Island _ 10.22.2010
It was a beautiful fall day in eastern North Carolina, and we enjoyed it with family. We took a chartered boat from Harkters island to Shackelford island. Greyson did such a great job. He walked the entire way, not once asking to be picked up. During our time on the island we found lots of shells, four jellyfish; three dead and beached, one alive and swimming in an inlet near shore. Greyson decided he'd like to wade in the surf, so I let him go in his underware and shirt. As I was setting his stuff down to go out and stand next to him, a large amount of surf came up and took Greyson's legs out from under him. Down he went; he was more scared then hurt. Soaking wet and crying I got him out of his soaked clothes and into his dry pants and coat. We didn't see any horses while walking on the island, though we came across many piles of manuer. Jason and Alan saw some, but hey were miles ahead of us. We spent two hours on the island - it was a joy. On the boat ride back to the mainland Greyson got to drive the boat - actually drive. The captain didn't control the steering wheel at all, he just told Greyson which direction to turn the wheel. He was so serious as he was driving; looking around for other boats and everything. It was a great day!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tournament - Punches, Kicks and Blocks
Stretching
Waiting
Key-i (spelled phenetically)
Punches
Headblock
Downblock
Knife hands
Waiting again
Getting instructions
Punch
Kick
Punches
Headblock
Downblock
Knife hands
Waiting again
Getting instructions
Punch
Kick
Participation medal and Little Dragon trophey
At the Hands of Greyson
I think Greyson will be ready for school when we get back to Michigan. :)
Greyson has been working on letters and writing his name.
It's a picture of me! Aww.
Building a Castle with Daddy
Clayton had Columbus Day off, so he made a castle with Greyson. My heart fills with so much love whenever I see them play together.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
October 2010
When we become mothers it seems that a switch is automatically flipped that changes our mindset from "me" to "everyone else" Our daily shower becomes weekly, our 8-hours of recommended sleep becomes "I'll nap when the baby naps - if I'm lucky," the food we eat is whatever is left over on our child's plate and that free time we spent with our husbands, friends, family or by-our-selves has become obsolete. In the hustle and bustle that is motherhood, we start to forget who we are. The individual that used to paint, or write, or do yoga has become buried beneath the dirty diapers, baby bottles, and laundry. We as mothers, wives, and women need to remember that making time for ourselves and reconnecting with who we are is the best thing we can do for not only ourselves, but for those around us.
Take a moment and think back to the most recent day where you spent every waking, unscheduled moment doing everything for those around you and nothing for yourself. Were you happy and rejuvenated or sad and exhausted? When we take the time each day, even just 30 minutes, to give ourselves a much needed break, we become vastly different people than on the days that we don't. A late evening bath may lead to a romantic rendezvous with your husband, rather than a grade school fight over what to watch on television. A mid-afternoon nap could quite easily make way for cuddling on the couch watching movies verses falling asleep, still in that day's clothes, at 8 p.m. on a Friday night. A solo walk on a sunny fall morning becomes the perfect ingredient to an afternoon of playing hid-and-seek and Cooties, with the children who moments earlier were on a one-way trip to the moon. It doesn't have to be anything major, simply recognize when you're running on empty and take the time to fill up your tank.
name something you use to do before you became a mom. How about before you became a wife? Is there a reason you can no longer do these things? The reason you give better be health related otherwise...there's no excuse. That 30 minute break we talked about earlier would be the perfect time to delve into the box labeled "what I use to do for fun," you know, the one you pushed into the back corner of the attic? The box filled with downhill skis, a sewing machine, a visitor's guide of Italy, a screenplay about that crazy dream you once had, running shoes, a college brochure, or maybe even a slide trombone. There is no reason you can't bring that box down from the attic, reminisce about the "good 'old days.
' and then introduce that passion and yourself to your children. Share with them those things that make you happy. Instill within your children the desire to explore, perform, or create. Let them see beyond the exhaustion of the daily grind, and into your soul; into the place that drives you,k that gives you passion, and that makes you who you are.
Did we recognize our needs and cater them, or ignore them to cater others? Did we leave behind a dream, for the dreams of our children or did we live our dream to encourage our children to live theirs? Remembering to make time for ourselves and to reconnect with who we are is the best thing we an do for not only ourselves, but our children. Because, in the end how we live our lives will greatly impact how our children live their lives.
Take a moment and think back to the most recent day where you spent every waking, unscheduled moment doing everything for those around you and nothing for yourself. Were you happy and rejuvenated or sad and exhausted? When we take the time each day, even just 30 minutes, to give ourselves a much needed break, we become vastly different people than on the days that we don't. A late evening bath may lead to a romantic rendezvous with your husband, rather than a grade school fight over what to watch on television. A mid-afternoon nap could quite easily make way for cuddling on the couch watching movies verses falling asleep, still in that day's clothes, at 8 p.m. on a Friday night. A solo walk on a sunny fall morning becomes the perfect ingredient to an afternoon of playing hid-and-seek and Cooties, with the children who moments earlier were on a one-way trip to the moon. It doesn't have to be anything major, simply recognize when you're running on empty and take the time to fill up your tank.
name something you use to do before you became a mom. How about before you became a wife? Is there a reason you can no longer do these things? The reason you give better be health related otherwise...there's no excuse. That 30 minute break we talked about earlier would be the perfect time to delve into the box labeled "what I use to do for fun," you know, the one you pushed into the back corner of the attic? The box filled with downhill skis, a sewing machine, a visitor's guide of Italy, a screenplay about that crazy dream you once had, running shoes, a college brochure, or maybe even a slide trombone. There is no reason you can't bring that box down from the attic, reminisce about the "good 'old days.
' and then introduce that passion and yourself to your children. Share with them those things that make you happy. Instill within your children the desire to explore, perform, or create. Let them see beyond the exhaustion of the daily grind, and into your soul; into the place that drives you,k that gives you passion, and that makes you who you are.
Did we recognize our needs and cater them, or ignore them to cater others? Did we leave behind a dream, for the dreams of our children or did we live our dream to encourage our children to live theirs? Remembering to make time for ourselves and to reconnect with who we are is the best thing we an do for not only ourselves, but our children. Because, in the end how we live our lives will greatly impact how our children live their lives.
September 2010
Greyson and I moved to Norther Carolina in August of 2008 to join Clayton for his four years of service in the Marine Corps. This was a difficult move for me; even though I was the world traveler of my family I had never been so far away, for so long. This wasn't a two week vacation, after which I would return to my parent's; this was me moving out into the world with my very own family. Scary! Who was I going to go to with my parenting questions, who would I talk to or hang out with when Clayton had to work all night, where would I go to get out of the house if ever I needed a break? Sure, I could pick up the phone and call home, but a phone call can only do so much. I needed face to face contact with someone other than Greyson or Clayton. I needed someone who knew how I was feeling as a mom, and as a woman. I needed a friend.
We were heading to the car after grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, and as we passed a table of coloring books for sale I was approached by a woman. She introduced herself, then proceeded to tell me a little bit about a group she was a part of...MOPS. The group was just about to start a new year, and if I was interested I could join them at the park for an "end of summer bash." I took the invitation, told her I would think about it, and headed off to meet Clayton and Greyson at the car. Clayton and I talked about it on the drive back to our apartment; we both knew I needed to get out of the apartment, and that I needed to make some friends. The thought of joining an already established group was intimidating; would I open up enough to make new friends, would I be accepted, would I have fun, would Greyson be okay in this new environment? I decided that the only way to find out would be to join. So I attended the "end of summer bash" as the park, I filled out the paperwork and I paid for a complete year of MOPS; there was no turning back.
When I joined Cherry Point MOPS that year, there were a couple vacant positions on the Steering Team, but I had no idea what a Steering Team was or if I was qualified or courageous enough to fill a position. Plus, I didn't join the group to help run it; I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the ride. But, with each meeting that I attended and each plead that was made, I started to think about possible volunteering for a position. Over the next couple of weeks I thought about it over and over in my head, and after some encouragement from another mom, who was also on Steering Team, I decided to volunteer for the Publicity position. I am so glad that I did. Joining the Steering Team help solidify my place in MOPS; it gave me more chances to build friendships, it helped me improve my creativity and keep my mind in teacher-mode, but more importantly gave me a sense of belonging. This group was my second home, and these women my second family.
Jumping ahead now to August 2010. This will be my third year of MOPS and my third year on Steering Team, but this year will be a little different. This year I will be in the position of coordinator. I've never really considered myself a leader. Sure, as a teacher I lead children and as a mother I lead my child, but to lead adults? Talk about being out of my comfort zone! When standing in front of adults my mind is reeling with all the judgments they might be making; like how unprepared I might be, or the number of times I say "um" or that I talk with my hands. But in reality those judgements are my own insecurities trying to keep me down. We all have insecurities that keep us from doing that things that we've always wanted to do, but this time I decided to tune them out and go for it. You might be wondering what makes this time different, why volunteer for this position? There are lots of reason, but I'll just share two.
The first and most important reason, I want to give back to Cherry Point MOPS what it have give to me. The women in this group gave me a sense of family while I was so far ways from mine, they gave me support when Clayton was deployed, and they gave me the opportunity to grow as a woman, as a mother, as a wife and a Christian. The second reason, with tension there can be no growth. If you never push beyond what you think you already know, feel or are able to do you will never experience all that is possible. I never thought I would go skydiving, even though I really wanted to, until my father-in-law took me with him. I never thought I could run 3.2 miles, until I made it a goal and Clayton ran with me. I never thought I could take karate and do well, until the money was paid and we went as a family. I never thought I could lead a group of women, until others put there faith in me and I decided not to let them down. So, if there is something you want to do but are too scared, find someone to stand beside you and to encourage you. There were plenty of times where I found my encouragement and support from a MOPS mom, and maybe you will too.
It is the goal of all MOPS groups to make sure that no mom is alone. We are here to laugh and cry with you, we are here to support and encourage you, we are here because "a better mom makes a better world." Whether you joined MOPS to have four hours of kid-free mommy time each month, to make new friends, or to simply get out of the house, I welcome you and I hope that you have a wonderful year!
We were heading to the car after grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, and as we passed a table of coloring books for sale I was approached by a woman. She introduced herself, then proceeded to tell me a little bit about a group she was a part of...MOPS. The group was just about to start a new year, and if I was interested I could join them at the park for an "end of summer bash." I took the invitation, told her I would think about it, and headed off to meet Clayton and Greyson at the car. Clayton and I talked about it on the drive back to our apartment; we both knew I needed to get out of the apartment, and that I needed to make some friends. The thought of joining an already established group was intimidating; would I open up enough to make new friends, would I be accepted, would I have fun, would Greyson be okay in this new environment? I decided that the only way to find out would be to join. So I attended the "end of summer bash" as the park, I filled out the paperwork and I paid for a complete year of MOPS; there was no turning back.
When I joined Cherry Point MOPS that year, there were a couple vacant positions on the Steering Team, but I had no idea what a Steering Team was or if I was qualified or courageous enough to fill a position. Plus, I didn't join the group to help run it; I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the ride. But, with each meeting that I attended and each plead that was made, I started to think about possible volunteering for a position. Over the next couple of weeks I thought about it over and over in my head, and after some encouragement from another mom, who was also on Steering Team, I decided to volunteer for the Publicity position. I am so glad that I did. Joining the Steering Team help solidify my place in MOPS; it gave me more chances to build friendships, it helped me improve my creativity and keep my mind in teacher-mode, but more importantly gave me a sense of belonging. This group was my second home, and these women my second family.
Jumping ahead now to August 2010. This will be my third year of MOPS and my third year on Steering Team, but this year will be a little different. This year I will be in the position of coordinator. I've never really considered myself a leader. Sure, as a teacher I lead children and as a mother I lead my child, but to lead adults? Talk about being out of my comfort zone! When standing in front of adults my mind is reeling with all the judgments they might be making; like how unprepared I might be, or the number of times I say "um" or that I talk with my hands. But in reality those judgements are my own insecurities trying to keep me down. We all have insecurities that keep us from doing that things that we've always wanted to do, but this time I decided to tune them out and go for it. You might be wondering what makes this time different, why volunteer for this position? There are lots of reason, but I'll just share two.
The first and most important reason, I want to give back to Cherry Point MOPS what it have give to me. The women in this group gave me a sense of family while I was so far ways from mine, they gave me support when Clayton was deployed, and they gave me the opportunity to grow as a woman, as a mother, as a wife and a Christian. The second reason, with tension there can be no growth. If you never push beyond what you think you already know, feel or are able to do you will never experience all that is possible. I never thought I would go skydiving, even though I really wanted to, until my father-in-law took me with him. I never thought I could run 3.2 miles, until I made it a goal and Clayton ran with me. I never thought I could take karate and do well, until the money was paid and we went as a family. I never thought I could lead a group of women, until others put there faith in me and I decided not to let them down. So, if there is something you want to do but are too scared, find someone to stand beside you and to encourage you. There were plenty of times where I found my encouragement and support from a MOPS mom, and maybe you will too.
It is the goal of all MOPS groups to make sure that no mom is alone. We are here to laugh and cry with you, we are here to support and encourage you, we are here because "a better mom makes a better world." Whether you joined MOPS to have four hours of kid-free mommy time each month, to make new friends, or to simply get out of the house, I welcome you and I hope that you have a wonderful year!
May 2010
I've sat in front of this computer for two days, typing and deleting over and over again, unable to come up with a clear topic on which to write. It's been a long time since I've written something that other people will read, so it could simply be nerves holding me back. Speaking of nerves...
When I was at community college taking an oral communications class the professor told us to replace the word nervous with the word excited before every presentation. Over time this little trick seemed to erase any pre-presentation jitter, but to this day I am intimidated by even the thought of standing in front of a group of people, and still I do it.
When we were young my dad would always tell my sisters and I, "there is no such thing as can't, in anything that you do." But for me, and maybe for many of you, the word "can't" always seems to find its way back into my vocabulary; clouding my vision and destroying my confidence. But with perseverance and the support of others we can achieve all that seems impossible. By surrounding yourself with people who believe you can, it is only a matter of time before you believe you can.
Oprah has said on more than one occasion that writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams and by imagining yourself achieving those goals, those hopes and dreams (or "putting it out into the universe") you will do exactly that. I had lost interest in goal setting until recently. I was having a Debbie Downer kind of day and I decided that I needed to set some goals for myself so that even though I was "just a mom" I could feel like I was doing something with my life, for myself. So I set two goals for which I am to accomplish before Clayton's contract with the Marine Corps is up (December 16, 2011) and we head back to Michigan; run a 5k and go up a belt in karate. I've been running three days a week for almost a month and on one of those days I did run three miles, which is just shy of a 5k. And I have been in karate for a month and a half and will be testing for my next belt in June. I think this way of thinking works because by writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams you have made yourself accountable; It is somewhat like making a contract with yourself.
Then there is God. Faith and the power of prayer have had miraculous effects on so many outcomes in life. Simple prayers like the ones I said weeks prior to our yard sale for it to be successful or intense prayers like those said by parents at the foot of their child's hospital bed will be answered if we have faith in God. Take these scriptures and let God's promises guide you in prayer.
Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Matthew 7:7-8
Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. ~Matthew 21:22
We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for. ~John 5:14-15
I started typing lacking a path, devoid of an end destination and it seems that without even knowing it I have written a piece on ways to do things you did not think you could. With that said, remember that MOPS and its moms are here whenever your nerves are taking over, the word CAN'T is holding you back, you need support to reach your goals or you need another person to ask God something on your behalf.
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believer, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you. ~A. A. Milne
When I was at community college taking an oral communications class the professor told us to replace the word nervous with the word excited before every presentation. Over time this little trick seemed to erase any pre-presentation jitter, but to this day I am intimidated by even the thought of standing in front of a group of people, and still I do it.
When we were young my dad would always tell my sisters and I, "there is no such thing as can't, in anything that you do." But for me, and maybe for many of you, the word "can't" always seems to find its way back into my vocabulary; clouding my vision and destroying my confidence. But with perseverance and the support of others we can achieve all that seems impossible. By surrounding yourself with people who believe you can, it is only a matter of time before you believe you can.
Oprah has said on more than one occasion that writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams and by imagining yourself achieving those goals, those hopes and dreams (or "putting it out into the universe") you will do exactly that. I had lost interest in goal setting until recently. I was having a Debbie Downer kind of day and I decided that I needed to set some goals for myself so that even though I was "just a mom" I could feel like I was doing something with my life, for myself. So I set two goals for which I am to accomplish before Clayton's contract with the Marine Corps is up (December 16, 2011) and we head back to Michigan; run a 5k and go up a belt in karate. I've been running three days a week for almost a month and on one of those days I did run three miles, which is just shy of a 5k. And I have been in karate for a month and a half and will be testing for my next belt in June. I think this way of thinking works because by writing down your goals, your hopes and dreams you have made yourself accountable; It is somewhat like making a contract with yourself.
Then there is God. Faith and the power of prayer have had miraculous effects on so many outcomes in life. Simple prayers like the ones I said weeks prior to our yard sale for it to be successful or intense prayers like those said by parents at the foot of their child's hospital bed will be answered if we have faith in God. Take these scriptures and let God's promises guide you in prayer.
Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Matthew 7:7-8
Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. ~Matthew 21:22
We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for. ~John 5:14-15
I started typing lacking a path, devoid of an end destination and it seems that without even knowing it I have written a piece on ways to do things you did not think you could. With that said, remember that MOPS and its moms are here whenever your nerves are taking over, the word CAN'T is holding you back, you need support to reach your goals or you need another person to ask God something on your behalf.
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believer, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you. ~A. A. Milne
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Can't wait to be big...
We were putting Greyson to bed last night, and when I picked him up so he could make Angel Music (An angel wind chime I got from my grandma Erdman) I made a comment on how big he was getting because he was heavy for me to pick up.
So Greyson says, "I'm big, so I can go skydiving and learn to drive a car." You're not THAT big. Slow down, this mommy doesn't want her son to grow up too fast...parachutes and cars can wait their turn. I want to enjoy this time with my little BIG boy. <3
So Greyson says, "I'm big, so I can go skydiving and learn to drive a car." You're not THAT big. Slow down, this mommy doesn't want her son to grow up too fast...parachutes and cars can wait their turn. I want to enjoy this time with my little BIG boy. <3
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